Hurricanes confirm Chris Gibbes as assistant coach

Hurricanes have confirmed Chris Gibbes as assistant coach of the Super Rugby club for the next two seasons.

The 46-year-old will join the club following the end of the Mitre 10 Cup commitments with Wellington Lions and will replace Richard Watt.

Gibbes has led Waikato to back-to-back National Provincial Championship finals in 2010 and 2011 as well as Ranfurly Shield and also has worked with Japan, Georgia and New Zealand Under 20 side. He has also worked with Pro14 club Ospreys for four years before returning to Wellington in 2017.

"For me, it's a fantastic opportunity to be involved in coaching at Super Rugby level, something I've always wanted to do," Gibbes said.

"I've obviously got a very important job still to do with the Wellington Lions and I want to concentrate all my efforts on that before I think ahead."

Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree is confident of Gibbes' ability to excel in the role of forwards coach.

"I've had a lot of conversations with Gibbo and we know where we want to improve and I think he's the right person to be able to bring that," he said.